The University of Primorska, together with the European Commission, is establishing the first Hub of the New European Bauhaus Academy (NEBAcademy) to accelerate the implementation European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus. The University of Primorska and European Commission held the workshop to shape the overall implementation of the NEBAcademy and ensure it has strong international support.

The NEBAcademy, a flagship initiative of the European Year of Skills, will offer both in person and online trainings for the construction ecosystem. Trainings will be organised through the Academy Hubs, while the first core Hub will be established at the University of Primorska.

“This is another great achievement for our university and for our endeavours to help in the transition towards a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Klavdija Kutnar, University of Primorska’s rector.

The event was held at the InnoRenew CoE’s location in Izola, Slovenia as it is an exemplary building, demonstrating New European Bauhaus principles and best practices in the use of bio-based materials.

“Providing training for actors all across the construction sector – from material suppliers to architects, builders, managers, etc. – will help increase the use of bio-materials and ensure more people have access to healthy, beautiful buildings for work, living, and learning,” said Dr. Andreja Kutnar, InnoRenew CoE director.

Content will be created and provided by the University of Primorska, other Slovenian and international partners, and other Academy Hubs to be created in the near future across EU. The trainings will focus on overcoming building and construction related obstacles to the transition to a more sustainable society. In the EU, almost 40% of total Greenhouse Gas emissions stem from the construction, operation and demolition of buildings making the construction sector a focus area for sustainability improvements.

At the workshop, a panel of international experts, among which European Commission representatives participated, co-designed the structure and operating concept for the overall NEBAcademy, and defined the foundation, goals, and basic operations of the NEBAcademy at the University of Primorska. Participants were addressed by Jernej Širok, Acting Director-General at the Higher Education Directorate, Ministry of higher education, science and innovation, and by Ruth Reichstein, the European Commission’s I.D.E.A. Advisory.

The NEBAcademy was needed to ensure more current training modules are sufficiently available and to encourage more engagement with sustainable building practices. Early content will focus on circularity, bio-based building materials, and design for health and well-being. With expanded access to knowledge and expertise, architects, engineers, construction workers and others in the sector will be able to make sustainable construction practices the norm. Well-organised, open, promoted, and supported content will help accelerate a green, digital, and inclusive transition in the construction ecosystem.

The NEBAcademy is being launched as lighthouse venture during the European Year of Skills, to demonstrate the European Commission’s commitment to a skilled and sustainable society. This includes, for example, the use of bio-based materials, digital technologies, and increased circularity in order to accelerate decarbonisation of homes and buildings in Europe and beyond.

University of Primorska is proud to take a leading role in the European Commission’s initiatives to accelerate the transformation of the construction sector for a more sustainable future. Prioritizing sustainable practices and investing in the development of skills and knowledge, we can together create a brighter future for ourselves and future generations.

The project is co-financed by the Republic of Slovenia, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation and the European Union – NextGenerationEU. The project is implemented in accordance with the Recovery and Resilience Plan (RRP) under the development area Smart, Sustainable and Inclusive Growth, component Strengthening competencies, in particular digital competencies and those required by the new professions and the green transition (C3 K5), for the investment measure Investment F. Implementation of pilot projects, the results of which will serve as a basis for the preparation of a roadmap for the reform of higher education for a green and resilient transition to a Society 5.0: project Pilot Projects for the Reform of Higher Education for a Green and Resilient Transition.